Russian expatriate dies in tragic accident

By Margaret Sheard

We have received tragic news from the Russian community in North Cyprus that one of their fellow expatriates, while riding home on her bicycle yesterday (Wednesday 22nd May), was hit from behind by a Mercedes taxi and died immediately. This was Irina Tulinseva, aged 55, who had recently come to settle in North Cyprus, initially living with her son, daughter-in-law and grandson in Alsancak.

The accident happened at 18.40 on the main road near to the Escape Beach monument as Irina cycled to her home to Alsancak.

Dasha Denisova has told us a little about Irina and she had a personal involvement with the family as it was Irina’s son, Pavel, who custom-painted Dasha’s car a few months ago. We wrote an article about this at the time and there is reference to Irina being such a good needle-woman. Dasha said ” she was a really positive and bright person, she loved sewing and knitting and was doing this with such a passion that things created by her were almost alive.”

There was another occasion when we probably met Irina as well. This was a tree planting event named the “Forest of International Friendship” which was organised to celebrate the first anniversary of the Russian Cyprus Observer, Obozrevatel. Irina was present at the event with many other Russian Nationals to plant a little tree to help the environment.

Dasha has said that the Russian community are rallying around to try and help the family with financial support to assist with the organisation of a funeral and other related payments to Authorities in the TRNC so if anyone feels they can help this family to ease their tragic loss, any aid which can be given should be left at The Colibri Shop (between the Ileli and Starling Supermarkets) in Alsancak. Of course this is an urgent appeal to enable Pavel to lay his mother to rest with as little upset for the family as possible.

Dasha says:- Thank you for your support from all Russians of TRNC.

This is a time when expatriates maybe feel a bit isolated in their new homeland and, although it is such a sad occasion, it is also an opportunity for expatriates of all nationalities to join together and help one another to establish a good life here in North Cyprus.